Looking back on 2013: New Orleans tourism industry leaders made an announcement in March that essentially declared the city's recovery as a travel destination after Hurricane Katrina to be complete and then some. They unveiled a study showing more than 9 million people visiting New Orleans in 2012, which was the highest tally since the storm and the second highest all time.

Only in 2004 did the city attract more tourists, at 10.4 million. But the report found 2012 setting the top record in another key indicator: how much the visitors spent. The University of New Orleans study estimated it was $6 billion, far surpassing 2004's $4.9 billion.

The research led John Williams, dean of the UNO College of Business Administration, to conclude New Orleans is growing but also transcending its traditional appeal as a dining and nightlife destination. "These figures are pretty amazing this year," Williams said in March. "We see trending that has now turned into something else. I believe now that it is transformative."

Looking ahead: The latest visitor numbers kept New Orleans on a tourism growth trajectory that industry promoters hope will continue. They have a goal of reaching 13 million visitors by 2018, when the city celebrates its tri-centennial.